Apparatus and method for providing interaction information by using image on device display

ABSTRACT

A method for providing interaction information, such as, for example, settlement information, by which a device provides the settlement information to a counterpart device, includes displaying an image which relates to an item to be used for performing the interaction, such as, for example, a credit card image of a credit card of a user of the device, on a lock screen of the device, and receiving a touch input from the user with respect to the credit card image. In the method, settlement information which corresponds to the touched credit card image is used for performing a settlement via the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/931,996, filed May 14, 2020, in the U.S. Patentand Trademark Office, which is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/654,114, filed Oct. 16, 2019, in the U.S. Patentand Trademark Office, which claims priority from U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/975,415, filed Aug. 26, 2013, in the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office, which claims priority from Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2012-0093291, filed on Aug. 24, 2012, and from Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2013-0096192, filed on Aug. 13, 2013, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for displayingan image which relates to a potential interaction, such as, for example,a credit card image, on a display of a device, such as, for example, alock screen of a mobile phone, and providing interaction information,such as, for example, settlement information, which is generated byusing the displayed image.

2. Description of the Related Art

As the mobile communication industry has rapidly developed, mobilecommunication terminals are regarded as essential items. Accordingly,mobile communication terminals are equipped with various additionalfunctions in addition to a conventional function, such as voice callingand data communication, thereby becoming multifunctional terminals.

Based on the above trend, technologies which relate to using a mobilecommunication terminal as a payment means by storing information about auser's credit card in the mobile communication terminal are widelysuggested. Further, as society develops, payment means in variousbusinesses have changed from cash to various types of credit paymentmeans, such as credit cards. In addition, a reward rate and a discountrate may be variably applied, based on the type of payment means beingused.

When a user wants to make a settlement by using a mobile communicationterminal, it may be inconvenient to unlock the mobile communicationterminal and directly operate a predetermined application. Further, indetermining a credit card to use for the settlement of goods, it may beinconvenient for a user to check a reward rate and a discount rate ofeach credit card on an individual basis and to input authenticationinformation for settlement to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments provide an apparatus and method for effectivelyproviding settlement information to a counterpart device by using acredit card image which is displayed on a lock screen of a device.

Exemplary embodiments also provide an apparatus and method for providingsettlement information, including a capability of recognizing afingerprint of a user based on a user's touch input on a credit cardimage which is displayed on a lock screen.

According to an aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, a methodfor using a first device to provide settlement information to acounterpart device, includes displaying, on a lock screen of the firstdevice, a credit card image of a credit card of a user of the firstdevice, and receiving a touch input from the user with respect to thedisplayed credit card image, wherein settlement information whichcorresponds to the received touch input is used for performing asettlement via the first device.

The method may further include providing the settlement informationwhich corresponds to the received touch input to the counterpart device.

The method may further include providing the settlement informationwhich corresponds to the received touch input to a settlement server.

The method may further include using the received touch input forrecognizing a fingerprint of the user, and providing fingerprintinformation which relates to the recognized fingerprint to thecounterpart device in conjunction with performing the settlement.

The method may further include using the received touch input forrecognizing a fingerprint of the user, unlocking the first device basedon the recognized fingerprint, and providing the settlement informationto the counterpart device when the first device is unlocked.

The method may further include receiving, from the counterpart device,information which relates to a credit card that is usable for performinga settlement via the counterpart device, wherein a plurality of creditcard images are displayed on the lock screen of the first device, and acredit card image which corresponds to the credit card that is usablefor performing the settlement is distinctively displayed with respect tothe displayed plurality of credit card images.

The displaying the credit card image on the lock screen of the firstdevice may include displaying the credit card image on a plurality ofunlock pattern points on the lock screen of the first device.

The method may further include receiving, from the counterpart device,information which relates to a credit card that is usable for performinga settlement via the counterpart device, wherein the displaying thecredit card image on the lock screen of the first device may includedisplaying a respective credit card image on each of the plurality ofunlock pattern points and an image of a pattern lock point which matchesa credit card image which corresponds to the credit card that is usablefor performing the settlement via the counterpart device isdistinctively displayed with respect to the plurality of unlock patternpoints.

The displaying the credit card image may include arranging the creditcard image on the lock screen of the first device based on at least oneof a number of uses of the credit card, a position of the first device,a user preference, and a points reward rate.

The method may further include executing an application for providingthe settlement information when the touch input is received, wherein thesettlement information is provided to at least one of the counterpartdevice and a settlement server as a result of executing the application.

The providing the settlement information to the counterpart device mayinclude providing the settlement information to the counterpart devicewithin a time interval during which the user touch input is maintained.

The method may further include providing the settlement information tothe counterpart device when a distance between the first device and thecounterpart device falls within a preset range.

The providing the settlement information to the counterpart device mayinclude providing the settlement information to the counterpart devicevia near field communication (NFC).

The displaying the credit card image may include displaying the creditcard image on the lock screen when a distance between the first deviceand the counterpart device falls within a preset range.

According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, adevice includes a memory which is configured to store at least oneprogram, and a processor which is configured to generate settlementinformation by executing the at least one program, wherein the at leastone program comprises at least a first command which relates todisplaying, on a lock screen of the device, a credit card image of acredit card of a user of the device, and at least a second command whichrelates to receiving a touch input from the user with respect to thecredit card image, and the settlement information is generated based onthe received touch input and is used for performing a settlement via thedevice.

The at least one program may further include at least a third commandwhich relates to providing the generated settlement information to acounterpart device.

The at least one program may further include at least a third commandwhich relates to providing the generated settlement information to asettlement server.

The at least one program may further include at least a third commandwhich relates to using the received touch input for recognizing afingerprint of the user and providing fingerprint information whichrelates to the recognized fingerprint to a counterpart device, whereinthe provided fingerprint information may be used in conjunction with theperforming the settlement.

The at least one program may further include at least a third commandwhich relates to using the received touch input for recognizing afingerprint of the user and unlocking the device based on the recognizedfingerprint, wherein the processor may be further configured to providethe generated settlement information to a counterpart device when thedevice is unlocked.

The at least one program may further include at least a third commandwhich relates to receiving, from a counterpart device, information whichrelates to a credit card that is usable for performing a settlement viathe counterpart device, and at least a fourth command which relates todisplaying, on the lock screen of the device, a plurality of credit cardimages, wherein a credit card image which corresponds to the credit cardthat is usable for performing the settlement via the counterpart deviceis distinctively displayed with respect to the displayed plurality ofcredit card images.

The at least first command which relates to the displaying the creditcard image on the lock screen of the device may further relate todisplaying the credit card image on a plurality of unlock pattern pointson the lock screen of the device.

The at least one program may further include at least a third commandwhich relates to receiving, from a counterpart device, information whichrelates to a credit card that is usable for performing a settlement viathe counterpart device, wherein the at least first command which relatesto the displaying the credit card image on the lock screen of the devicemay further relate to displaying a respective credit card image on eachof the plurality of unlock pattern points, and a pattern lock pointwhich matches a credit card image which corresponds to the credit cardthat is usable for performing the settlement via the counterpart deviceis distinctively displayed with respect to the plurality of unlockpattern points.

The at least first command which relates to the displaying the creditcard image may further relate to arranging the credit card image on thelock screen of the device based on at least one of a number of uses ofthe credit card, a position of the device, a user preference, and apoints reward rate.

The at least one program may further include at least a third commandwhich relates to executing an application for providing the settlementinformation when the touch input is received, and the processor may befurther configured to provide the generated settlement information to atleast one of a counterpart device and a settlement server as a result ofexecuting the application.

The at least third command which relates to the providing the generatedsettlement information to the counterpart device may further relate toproviding the generated settlement information to the counterpart devicewithin a time interval during which the user touch input is maintained.

The at least third command which relates to the providing the generatedsettlement information to the counterpart device may further relate toproviding the generated settlement information to the counterpart devicewhen a distance between the device and the counterpart device fallswithin a preset range.

The at least third command which relates to the providing the generatedsettlement information to the counterpart device may further relate toproviding the generated settlement information to the counterpart devicevia near field communication (NFC).

The at least first command which relates to the displaying the creditcard image may further relate to displaying the credit card image on thelock screen when a distance between the device and the counterpartdevice falls within a preset range.

According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, amethod for using a first device to provide settlement information to acounterpart device includes displaying, on a lock screen of the firstdevice, an identification value of a credit card of a user of the firstdevice, and receiving a touch input from the user with respect to thedisplayed identification value of the credit card, wherein settlementinformation which corresponds to the received touch input is used forperforming a settlement via the first device.

According to another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, amethod for facilitating an interaction between a first user and a seconduser by using a first device which is associated with the first user isprovided. The first device includes a user interface for providing aninput/output capability with respect to the first user. The methodincludes: displaying, via the user interface and on a screen of thefirst device, a plurality of images which respectively correspond to aplurality of candidate items; receiving, via the user interface, a touchinput from the first user with respect to the displayed plurality ofimages; using the first device to select, from among the plurality ofcandidate items, an item for use in performing the interaction, and togenerate interaction information based on the received touch input; andusing the received touch input and the generated interaction informationin conjunction with the selected item in order to perform theinteraction.

The method may further include extracting authentication informationfrom the received touch input. The using the received touch input andthe generated interaction information to perform the interaction mayinclude checking the extracted authentication information with respectto user-specific information which is stored in the first device andusing a result of the checking to determine whether the interaction issafely performable.

The authentication information may include fingerprint information whichrelates to the first user.

The method may further include transmitting the generated interactioninformation to at least one of a second device which is associated withthe second user and an interaction server.

The method may further include: using the received touch input forrecognizing a fingerprint of the user; unlocking the device based on therecognized fingerprint; and providing the interaction information to asecond device which is associated with the second user when the firstdevice is unlocked.

The method may further include receiving, from a second device which isassociated with the second user, information which relates to an itemthat is usable for performing an interaction via the second device. Animage which corresponds to the item that is usable for performing theinteraction via the second device may be distinctively displayed withrespect to the displayed plurality of images.

The displaying the plurality of images may include displaying theplurality of images on a plurality of unlock pattern points on a lockscreen of the first device.

The method may further include receiving, from a second device which isassociated with the second user, information which relates to an itemthat is usable for performing an interaction via the second device. Thedisplaying the plurality of images may include displaying a respectiveitem on each of the plurality of unlock pattern points, and an image ofa pattern lock point which matches an image which corresponds to theitem that is usable for performing the interaction via the second devicemay be distinctively displayed with respect to the plurality of unlockpattern points.

The method may further include executing an application for providingthe interaction information when the touch input is received. Theinteraction information may be provided to at least one of a seconddevice which is associated with the second user and an interactionserver as a result of the executing the application.

The method may further include providing the interaction information toa second device which is associated with the second user within a timeinterval during which the first user touch input is maintained.

The method may further include providing the interaction information toa second device which is associated with the second user when a distancebetween the first device and the second device falls within a presetrange.

The providing the interaction information to the second device mayinclude providing the interaction information to the second device vianear field communication (NFC).

The displaying the plurality of images may include displaying theplurality of images on a lock screen of the first device when a distancebetween the first device and a second device which is associated withthe second user falls within a preset range.

According to yet another aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, afirst device for use in conjunction with performing an interactionbetween a first user and a second user includes: a display which isconfigured to display a plurality of images which respectivelycorrespond to a plurality of candidate items; a transceiver which isconfigured to receive a touch input from the first user with respect tothe displayed plurality of images; and a processor which is configuredto select, from among the plurality of candidate items, an item for usein performing the interaction, to generate interaction information basedon the received touch input, and to use the received touch input and thegenerated interaction information in conjunction with the selected itemin order to perform the interaction.

The processor may be further configured to extract authenticationinformation from the received touch input, to check the extractedauthentication information with respect to user-specific informationwhich is stored in a memory of the first device, and to use a result ofthe check to determine whether the interaction is safely performable.

The authentication information may include fingerprint information whichrelates to the first user.

The transceiver may be further configured to transmit the generatedinteraction information to at least one of a second device which isassociated with the second user and an interaction server.

The processor may be further configured to: use the received touch inputfor recognizing a fingerprint of the user; unlock the first device basedon the recognized fingerprint; and provide the interaction informationto a second device which is associated with the second user when thefirst device is unlocked.

The transceiver may be further configured to receive, from a seconddevice which is associated with the second user, information whichrelates to an item that is usable for performing an interaction via thesecond device. The processor may be further configured to cause thedisplay to distinctively display an image which corresponds to the itemthat is usable for performing the interaction via the second device withrespect to the displayed plurality of images.

The display may be further configured to display the plurality of imageson a plurality of unlock pattern points on a lock screen of the firstdevice.

The transceiver may be further configured to receive, from a seconddevice which is associated with the second user, information whichrelates to an item that is usable for performing an interaction via thesecond device. The display may be further configured to display arespective item on each of the plurality of unlock pattern points. Theprocessor may be further configured to cause the display todistinctively display an image of a pattern lock point which matches animage which corresponds to the item that is usable for performing theinteraction via the second device with respect to the plurality ofunlock pattern points.

The processor may be further configured to execute an application forproviding the interaction information when the touch input is received.The transceiver may be further configured to transmit the interactioninformation to at least one of a second device which is associated withthe second user and an interaction server as a result of the executingthe application.

The transceiver may be further configured to transmit the interactioninformation to a second device which is associated with the second userwithin a time interval during which the first user touch input ismaintained.

The transceiver may be further configured to transmit the interactioninformation to a second device which is associated with the second userwhen a distance between the first device and the second device fallswithin a preset range.

The transceiver may be further configured to transmit the interactioninformation to the second device via near field communication (NFC).

The display may be further configured to display the plurality of imageson a lock screen of the first device when a distance between the firstdevice and a second device which is associated with the second userfalls within a preset range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventiveconcept will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplaryembodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram which schematically illustrates an overallconcept of a system in which a device transmits settlement informationto a counterpart device, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart which illustrates a method by which the devicetransmits settlement information to the counterpart device, according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart which illustrates a method by which the deviceprovides settlement information which corresponds to a touched creditcard image to the counterpart device, according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart which illustrates a method by which the devicerecommends a credit card to be used for settlement based on a settlementenvironment, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart which illustrates a method by which the devicearranges and displays credit card images on a lock screen, according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart which illustrates a method by which the devicedistinctively displays credit card images on a lock screen, according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram which schematically illustrates an example ofdisplaying a recommended credit card as the device approaches thecounterpart device, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram which schematically illustrates a method fordisplaying a recommended credit card as the device approaches thecounterpart device and providing settlement information, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of credit card images being displayed on alock screen of the device, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of credit card images being displayed ona lock screen of the device, according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of credit card images being displayed ona lock screen of the device, according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of credit card images being distinctivelydisplayed with emphasis, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of credit card images being distinctivelydisplayed with emphasis, according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a detailed block diagram of a device, according to anexemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a device, according to another exemplaryembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The attached drawings for illustrating exemplary embodiments arereferred to in order to gain a sufficient understanding of the exemplaryembodiments, the merits thereof, and the objectives accomplished by theimplementation of the exemplary embodiments. Hereinafter, the presentinventive concept will be described in detail by explaining exemplaryembodiments with reference to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals in the drawings denote like elements.

Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list ofelements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify theindividual elements of the list.

In the present specification, when a constituent element “connects” oris “connected” to another constituent element, the constituent elementmay contact or may be connected to the other constituent element notonly “directly”, but also “electrically” with other constituentelement(s) therebetween. When a part may “include” a certain constituentelement, unless specified otherwise, it may not be construed to excludeanother constituent element, but may be construed to further includeother constituent elements.

Further, although in the present specification an image of a credit cardis displayed on a lock screen of a device, the exemplary embodiments arenot limited thereto. An identification value of a credit card may bedisplayed on a lock screen of a device. In addition, information whichrelates to identifying a credit card, for example, a still image, movingpicture, text, etc., may be displayed on a lock screen of a device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram which schematically illustrates an overallconcept of a system in which a device 1000 transmits settlementinformation to a counterpart device 2000, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the system for transmitting settlementinformation, according to the present exemplary embodiment, includes thedevice 1000, the counterpart device 2000, and a settlement server 3000.The device 1000 is used to select an appropriate credit card based on asettlement environment, and the device 1000 provides credit cardinformation which relates to the selected credit card to the counterpartdevice 2000. A predetermined credit card image which is displayed on ascreen of the device 1000 is selected by receiving a touch input from auser. As the device 1000 approaches the counterpart device 2000, and/oras a distance between the device 1000 and the counterpart device 2000falls within a predetermined range, the device 1000 may transmitsettlement information which relates to a credit card which correspondsto the selected credit card image to the counterpart device 2000.

In this case, at least one of a plurality of credit card images may bedisplayed on a lock screen of the device 1000. For example, at least onecredit card image may be displayed on one of a plurality of unlockpattern points which are displayed on a lock screen of the device 1000.The unlock pattern points are points on a grid of the lock screen.Further, the device 1000 may recognize a fingerprint of a user based ona user's touch input, may unlock the device 1000 based on the recognizedfingerprint, and may provide the recognized fingerprint information withsettlement information to the device 1000.

Further, the counterpart device 2000 may provide the received settlementinformation to the settlement server 3000 so that the settlement server3000 may perform a settlement via the device 1000.

The device 1000 may be any one or more of a smartphone, a mobile phone,a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a media player, aglobal positioning system (GPS) device. However, the present exemplaryembodiment is not limited thereto, and the device 1000 may be othermobile or fixed computing devices.

Further, the counterpart device 2000 may be a point-of-sale (POS)terminal, but the present exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.For example, the counterpart device 2000 may be any one or more of asmartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA, a laptop computer, a media player, aGPS device, and other mobile or fixed computing devices.

In another exemplary embodiment, the block diagram of FIG. 1 can beunderstood as representing a system for performing an interactionbetween a first user and a second user. The device 1000 can beunderstood as being associated with the first user, and the device 2000can be understood as being associated with the second user. Although theabove-described exemplary embodiment refers to the interaction as beinga settlement, other interactions may be performed.

For example, a traveler may be preparing to fly on an airplane and mayneed to check in to obtain a boarding pass and/or to check baggage. Insuch a scenario, the traveler may be understood as being a first user,and the airline company may be understood as being the second user. Thesecond device 2000 may be, for example, a kiosk at the airport, or acomputer which is linked to the airline's web site on the Internet. Thetraveler may have a mobile phone which acts as a first device 1000, andthe mobile phone may display images which correspond to items, such as,for example, a passport, a driver's license, and a personal credit card,which can be used for the purpose of checking in for the flight and/orchecking baggage.

As another example, a social media user may be preparing to uploadinformation which relates to a recent experience. In this scenario, thesocial media user may be understood as being a first user, and thesecond user may be the social media web site. The second device may be,for example, any terminal which may be used to access the social mediaweb site. The social media user may have a mobile phone which acts as afirst device 1000, and the mobile phone may display images whichcorrespond to items, such as, for example, photographs, text messages,and uniform resource locator (URL) links, which can be selectable forthe purpose of uploading information to the social media site.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart which illustrates a method by which the device1000 transmits settlement information to the counterpart device 2000,according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, in operationS200, the device 1000 displays a credit card image on a lock screen. Inoperation S200, the device 1000 may display a credit card image on atleast one of the unlock pattern points which are displayed on the lockscreen of the device 1000. The credit card image which is displayed onthe lock screen may be used by the device 1000 to unlock the device1000. Further, the device 1000 may display at least one credit cardimage without displaying the unlock pattern points on the lock screen ofthe device 1000.

In operation S200, as a distance between the device 1000 and thecounterpart device 2000 falls within a preset range, the device 1000 maydisplay a credit card image on the lock screen of the device 1000. Forexample, when the device 1000 has a short range communication connectionwith the counterpart device 2000 via near field communication (NFC), thedevice 1000 may automatically display a predetermined credit card imageon the lock screen of the device 1000.

Further, the device 1000 may display a plurality of credit card imagesby arranging the credit card images based on a predetermined standard.The device 1000 may display a predetermined credit card image withemphasis.

In operation S210, the device 1000 receives a user's touch input withrespect to a credit card image. As a user touches a particular creditcard image which is displayed on the lock screen of the device 1000, thedevice 1000 may receive the user's touch input.

In operation S220, the device 1000 provides the counterpart device 2000with settlement information which corresponds to the received touchinput, such as, for example, information which corresponds to theparticular credit card image which is touched by the user. In operationS220, the device 1000 may extract credit card information which relatesto the credit card image touched by the user and user information from amemory 1700 (see FIG. 14) of the device 1000, and may provide theextracted credit card information and the user information to thecounterpart device 2000. The credit card information may include, forexample, any one or more of information about a credit card number and acredit card expiration date, and authentication information about acredit card. The user information may include, for example, informationabout a user identification value and the date of birth of a user.

Further, in operation S220, the device 1000 may provide settlementinformation to the counterpart device 2000 when a touch input on acredit card image continues or is maintained over a predetermined timeinterval. When the device 1000 approaches the counterpart device 2000within a time interval during which a touch input on a credit card imagecontinues, the device 1000 may provide settlement information to thecounterpart device 2000, but the present exemplary embodiment is notlimited thereto.

In operation S220, the device 1000 may provide settlement information tothe counterpart device 2000 when fingerprint information which isobtained as a result of receiving the touch input on a credit card imageis effective.

The flowchart of FIG. 2 may be also be applicable to other exemplaryembodiments. For example, the flowchart of FIG. 2 may be applicable tothe above-described scenario of the traveler checking in for a flightand/or checking baggage for a flight. In operation S200, the traveler'smobile phone displays a respective image which corresponds to each of apassport, a driver's license, and a credit card. In operation S210, thetraveler provides a touch input to the mobile phone with respect to oneof the displayed images. In operation S220, the mobile phone transmitsthe relevant information regarding the selected item to the device 2000which is used by the airline for completing the check-in and baggagecheck processes, e.g., a kiosk or a link to the airline's web site.

Similarly, the flowchart of FIG. 2 can be applied to the above-describedscenario of the social media user uploading information which relates toa recent experience. In operation S200, the social media user's mobilephone displays a respective image which corresponds to each ofphotographs, text messages, and URLs. In operation S210, the socialmedia user provides a touch input to the mobile phone with respect to atleast one of the displayed images for a purpose which relates to theupload. In operation S220, the mobile phone transmits the relevantinformation regarding the selected item or items to the device 2000which is used for performing the upload, e.g., a computer terminal or aWi-Fi connection at a hotspot.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart which illustrates a method by which the device1000 of FIG. 1 provides settlement information which corresponds to atouched credit card image to the counterpart device 2000, according toan exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, in operation S222, thedevice 1000 recognizes a fingerprint of a user when the user's touchinput is received. The device 1000 may recognize a fingerprint of a userfrom the lock screen of the device 1000 by using a fingerprintrecognition sensor (not shown) included in the device 1000. Thefingerprint recognition sensor may be, for example, at least one of anoptical sensor, a heat detection sensor, a condensing sensor, andsemiconductor type and/or electric field type sensors, but the presentexemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

In operation S224, the device 1000 unlocks the device 1000 based on therecognized fingerprint. The device 1000 may compare the recognizedfingerprint with user's fingerprint information which has previouslybeen stored in the device 1000, and may unlock the device 1000 when therecognized fingerprint matches the user's fingerprint information asindicated with respect to a predetermined value.

In this case, the user's fingerprint information may be stored in thedevice 1000 to be matched with each credit card image. The device 1000may compare the fingerprint information which corresponds to the touchedcredit card image with the recognized fingerprint.

In operation S226, as the device 1000 is unlocked, the device 1000executes an application in order to transmit settlement information. Theapplication executed in operation S226 may provide the counterpartdevice 2000 with information which is useful and/or required forperforming a settlement.

In operation S228, the device 1000 provides the counterpart device 2000with settlement information which relates to the credit card imageselected by the user's touch input, via the executed application. Thesettlement information may include at least one of credit cardinformation about the credit card image touched by a user and userinformation. The credit card information may include, for example, oneor more of information about a credit card number and a credit cardexpiration date, and authentication information about a credit card. Theuser information may include, for example, information about a useridentification value and the date of birth of a user.

In operation S229, the device 1000 provides the counterpart device 2000with fingerprint information about the recognized fingerprint. Thedevice 1000 may provide the counterpart device 2000 with the fingerprintinformation via the executed application. Further, the counterpartdevice 2000 may provide the settlement server 3000 with the receivedfingerprint information and may perform a settlement.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart which illustrates a method by which the device1000 recommends a credit card to be used for settlement based on asettlement environment, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referringto FIG. 4, in operation S200, the device 1000 stores credit cardinformation and credit card benefit information. The device 1000 maystore information about a credit card possessed by a user based on auser input. The credit card information may include, for example,information about any one or more of a credit card type, a credit cardnumber, and a credit card expiration date. Further, the device 1000 mayreceive credit card information from the settlement server 3000 andstore the received credit card information. The settlement server 3000may be a server operated by a credit card company, but the presentexemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. In this case, the device1000 may provide the settlement server 3000 with user profileinformation which is stored in the device 1000, and may receive creditcard information which corresponds to the user profile informationprovided by the settlement server 3000. In addition, when a userpossesses a newly issued credit card, the device 1000 may receive creditcard information about the newly issued credit card.

The device 1000 may store credit card benefit information for eachcredit card stored in the device 1000 based on a user input. The device1000 may provide a user interface to facilitate an input of credit cardbenefit information. A user may input credit card benefit informationfor each credit card which is stored in the device 1000 via the userinterface. Further, the device 1000 may receive credit card benefitinformation from the counterpart device 2000 and may store the receivedcredit card benefit information. The credit card benefit informationreceived from the counterpart device 2000 may include information aboutbenefits provided when a settlement is made through the counterpartdevice 2000. The device 1000 may receive the credit card benefitinformation from the settlement server 3000 and may store the receivedcredit card benefit information.

The credit card benefit information may be stored by being matched witha credit card. For example, the credit card benefit information mayinclude any one or more of price discount information, points rewardinformation, and coupon information. Further, the credit card benefitinformation may include information about various benefits according toa membership store where a credit card is used.

In operation S205, the device 1000 stores the user's credit card usehistory. The credit card use history may include, for example, any oneor more of a credit card number used for settlement, a settlement time,a settlement date, the name of a membership store, a settlementposition, the name of goods, and information about benefits provided forsettlement using a credit card. When a user performs a credit cardsettlement via the device 1000, the device 1000 may store use history ofa credit card used for a settlement, but the present exemplaryembodiment is not limited thereto. The credit card history informationabout the settlement through the device 1000 is accumulated and storedin the settlement server 3000. The device 1000 may receive the creditcard history information stored in the settlement server 3000 from thesettlement server 3000.

In operation S210, the device 1000 obtains information about asettlement environment. When a user tries to perform a settlement usinga credit card via the device 1000, the device 1000 may obtaininformation about a settlement environment from at least one sensor inat least one of the device 1000, the counterpart device 2000, and thesettlement server 3000. The information about a settlement environmentmay include information about any one or more of a settlement time, asettlement position, a membership store, and goods.

In detail, the device 1000 may obtain information about the position ofthe device 1000 and may determine which membership store is suitable forperforming a settlement based on the obtained position information. Forexample, the device 1000 may determine a GPS value with respect to theposition of the device 1000 by using a GPS sensor (not shown). Thedevice 1000 may determine an identification value of an access point(AP) which is connected to the device 1000. Further, the device 1000 maydetermine a membership store where the device 1000 is located based onat least one of the GPS value and the AP identification value. In thiscase, information about the membership store corresponding to the GPSvalue and the AP identification value may have been previously stored inthe device 1000 or a separate server (not shown).

The device 1000 may check goods information about goods that are subjectto a settlement. The device 1000 may check goods information via amarker which attached to the goods, but the present exemplary embodimentis not limited thereto. The device 1000 may check goods information fromthe counterpart device 2000. The device 1000 may receive at least one ofa date, a time, an identification value of goods, an amount of goods,and an identification value of a membership store which corresponds tothe counterpart device 2000, but the present exemplary embodiment is notlimited thereto.

The device 1000 may check any one or more of a points reward rate, apoints reward limit, a discount rate, and a discount limit for eachcredit card based on information about a membership store and goods.Information about a points reward rate, a point reward limit, a discountrate, and a discount limit with respect to a membership store and goodsmay have previously been stored in the device 1000 or the separateserver.

In operation S220, the device 1000 is used to select a credit card to beused for performing a settlement based on the settlement environment.The device 1000 may determine a credit card to be used for performing asettlement in the obtained settlement environment by using at least oneof credit card information, credit card benefit information, and asettlement history.

In detail, the device 1000 may extract a credit card which has been usedmore than a preset number of times in the obtained settlementenvironment based on the credit card settlement history. For example, ifa credit card A, a credit card B, a credit card C, and a credit card Dare used in a membership store A and the membership store included inthe obtained settlement environment is the membership store A, thedevice 1000 may extract the credit card A, the credit card B, the creditcard C, and the credit card D from the credit card information. Further,for example, if the credit card A and the credit card C have been usedin the membership store A on more than a preset number of occasions andthe membership store included in the obtained settlement environment isa membership store A, the device 1000 may extract the credit card A andthe credit card C from the credit card information.

For example, if the credit card A, the credit card B, the credit card C,and the credit card D are used in a time slot “11:00-14:00” and thesettlement time which is included in the obtained settlement environmentis within the time slot “11:00-14:00”, the device 1000 may extract thecredit card A, the credit card B, the credit card C, and the credit cardD from the credit card information. Further, for example, if thepriorities of the credit card A and the credit card B are higher amongthe credit cards used in the time slot “11:00-14:00” and the membershipstore included in the obtained settlement environment is the membershipstore A, the device 1000 may extract the credit card A and the creditcard B from the credit card information. In this case, the priority of acredit card may be determined based on at least one of a preset standardand/or a user input. In addition, although the priority of a credit cardmay be determined by reflecting the benefit for each credit card, thepresent exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

Further, the device 1000 may extract a credit card based on one or moreof a plurality of items which are included in the settlement history andthe settlement environment. In this case, the device 1000 may determinea credit card to be extracted from the obtained settlement environmentby applying a predetermined weight to each item included in thesettlement history and the settlement environment and by considering theweights of the items.

In operation S225, the device 1000 recommends at least one of aplurality of credit cards to be used for performing a settlement basedon the credit card benefit information. The device 1000 may comparebenefits of the extracted credit cards based on the credit card benefitinformation, and may recommend credit cards based on a result of thecomparison. The device 1000 may determine credit cards for arecommendation based on, for example, the type of credit card benefits auser prefers, and/or the amount of credit card benefits calculated intocash. The device 1000 may display, on the screen, information aboutbenefits provided by each credit card, and thus a user may select acredit card based on the displayed benefit information.

In this case, the device 1000 may receive the credit card benefitinformation from the settlement server 3000. The device 1000 maytransmit the information about a credit card which information is storedin the device 1000 to the settlement server 3000, and may receive thecredit card benefit information from the settlement server 3000, but thepresent exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

The device 1000 may receive the credit card benefit information from aterminal (not shown) of a store. In this case, the terminal of a storemay transmit information about a type and benefits of a credit card thatare provided by the store, to the device 1000 in the store. The terminalof a store may provide the benefit information to the device 1000 via,for example, SMS/multimedia messaging service (MMS), but the presentexemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. Further, the terminal of astore may provide the benefit information to the device 1000 via awireless fidelity (WiFi) network.

Further, the device 1000 may automatically select a credit card to beused for a settlement based on a display mode, or may select the creditcard based on a user input.

The device 1000 may display a list of recommended credit cards forperforming a settlement on the lock screen of the device 1000. Forexample, an image of a recommended credit card may be displayed on apattern lock point on the unlock screen of the device 1000, but thepresent exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

In this case, when a user selects a credit card image which is displayedon the lock screen, a user interface which prompts to input a personalidentification number (PIN) of a selected credit card may be displayed,but the present exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. When theuser touches a credit card image which is displayed on the lock screen,the device 1000 may recognize a fingerprint of the user based on theuser touch input and may unlock the device 1000 based on the recognizedfingerprint and perform a settlement.

Further, when the user selects a credit card image which is displayed onthe unlock screen, the user may be approved and/or authenticated basedon a user image and voice. For example, the device 1000 may capture auser's face and determine whether a captured user is a true holder ofthe credit card which is displayed on the unlock screen. In addition,for example, the device 1000 may approve and/or authenticate a user byrecognizing the iris of the user. Still further, for example, the device1000 may record the voice of a user and may approve and/or authenticatethe user based on the recorded voice.

When a user selects a predetermined credit card from the credit cardrecommendation list, a settlement window which relates to the selectedcredit card may be displayed on the screen of the device 1000. Thesettlement window which is displayed on the screen of the device 1000may include, for example, any one or more of credit card information,coupon information, a settlement amount, and a PIN code input field.Further, when the user inputs a PIN code of the selected credit card inthe PIN code input field, a settlement using the selected credit cardmay be approved.

When the settlement using the selected credit card is safely performed,a part or the whole settlement window may be displayed in a presetcolor. The device 1000 may check whether the settlement informationabout the selected credit card may be transmitted to the counterpartdevice 2000 and the settlement server 3000 and, when the settlementinformation can be safely transmitted, the settlement window may bedisplayed in a color which is preset by the user. The device 1000 maycheck whether the settlement information about the selected credit cardmay be safely transmitted to the counterpart device 2000 and thesettlement server 3000 by receiving separate authentication informationfrom the counterpart device 2000 and the settlement server 3000.However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart which illustrates a method by which the device1000 of FIG. 1 arranges and displays credit card images on a lockscreen, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, inoperation S202, the device 1000 may receive information about a leastone of credit cards that are usable for performing a settlement from thecounterpart device 2000. In operation S202, when a distance between thedevice 1000 and the counterpart device 2000 falls within a preset range,the device 1000 may receive the information about the at least one ofcredit cards that are usable for performing a settlement from thecounterpart device 2000. The information about the at least one ofcredit cards that are usable for performing a settlement may include,for example, information about any one or more of a type of a creditcard, a points reward rate of a credit card, and a discount rate of acredit card, but the present exemplary embodiment is not limitedthereto.

In operation S204, the device 1000 may arrange credit card images on thelock screen of the device 1000 based on at least one of the pointsreward rate and the discount rate. For example, the device 1000 mayarrange a credit card having a higher points reward rate or a higherdiscount rate prior to a credit card having a lower points reward rateor a lower discount rate.

Further, the device 1000 may arrange a credit card which matches theposition of the device 1000 prior to a credit card that does not matchthe position of the device 1000, based on the position of the device1000. For example, the device 1000 may display a credit card K when thedevice 1000 is located at a membership store A. In addition, forexample, when the device 1000 is located at a membership store B, thedevice 1000 may primarily display a credit card H. In this case,position information may include at least one of a GPS value and anidentification value of an AP connected to the device 1000, but thepresent exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. Still further, thedevice 1000 may determine a store where the device 1000 is located,based on the GPS value and the identification value of an AP connectedto the device 1000. In this case, an identification value of a storethat matches at least one of the GPS value and the identification valueof an AP connected to the device 1000 may have previously been stored inthe device 1000.

When credit card images are arranged based on the position of the device1000, operation S202 may be omitted. In this case, the information abouta credit card that is usable at a store which corresponds to theposition of the device 1000 may have previously been stored in thedevice 1000.

Further, the device 1000 may arrange credit card images on the screen ofthe device 1000 based on at least one of the number of uses of a creditcard by a user and user preference. For example, the device 1000 mayprimarily display a credit card having a relatively higher number ofuses, and may secondarily display a credit card having a relativelylower number of uses. Still further, for example, the device 1000 mayprimarily display a credit card having a relatively higher userpreference, and may secondarily display a credit card having arelatively lower user preference. The user preference may be calculatedby executing any one or more of various algorithms which may be based,for example, on the number of uses of a credit card and a settlementamount of a credit card.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart which illustrates a method by which the device1000 of FIG. 1 distinctively displays credit card images on a lockscreen with emphasis, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring toFIG. 6, in operation S206, the device 1000 may receive information abouta credit card that is usable for performing a settlement from thecounterpart device 2000. In operation S206, when a distance between thedevice 1000 and the counterpart device 2000 falls within a preset range,the device 1000 may receive the information about a credit card that isusable for performing a settlement from the counterpart device 2000. Theinformation about a credit card that is usable for performing asettlement may include, for example, information about any one or moreof a type of a credit card, a points reward rate of a credit card, and adiscount rate of a credit card, but the present exemplary embodiment isnot limited thereto.

In operation S208, the device 1000 displays, with emphasis, a creditcard that is usable for performing a settlement, based on apredetermined standard. In operation S208, the device 1000 may displaywith emphasis a credit card that is usable for performing a settlementon the lock screen of the device 1000. For example, the device 1000 maydisplay the credit card that is usable for performing a settlement bychanging the color of a credit card image which corresponds to thecredit card, or by increasing the thickness of an edge of a credit cardimage. Further, the device 1000 may display the credit card by changingthe color of a pattern lock point or the thickness of an edge of apattern lock point on which the credit card that is usable forperforming a settlement is located.

In operation S208, the device 1000 may display with emphasis apredetermined credit card image based on at least one of the pointsreward rate and the discount rate. For example, the device 1000 maydisplay with emphasis a credit card having a high points reward rate anda high discount rate.

The device 1000 may display with emphasis a credit card which matchesthe position of the device 1000 based on the position of the device1000. For example, the device 1000 may display a credit card K withemphasis when the device 1000 is located at a membership store A.Further, for example, when the device 1000 is located at a membershipstore B, the device 1000 may display a credit card H with emphasis. Inthis case, position information may include at least one of a GPS valueand an identification value of an AP connected to the device 1000, butthe present exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. Still further,the device 1000 may determine a store where the device 1000 is located,based on the GPS value and the identification value of an AP connectedto the device 1000. In this case, an identification value of a storethat matches at least one of the GPS value and the identification valueof an AP connected to the device 1000 may have previously been stored inthe device 1000.

When the credit card image is displayed with emphasis based on theposition of the device 1000, operation S206 may be omitted. In thiscase, the information about a credit card that is usable at a storewhich corresponds to the position of the device 1000 may have previouslybeen stored in the device 1000.

Further, the device 1000 may display with emphasis credit card imagesbased on at least one of the number of uses of a credit card by a userand user preference. For example, the device 1000 may display withemphasis a credit card having a relatively high number of uses. Stillfurther, for example, the device 1000 may display with emphasis a creditcard having a relatively high user preference. The user preference maybe calculated by executing any one or more of various algorithms whichare based on the number of uses of a credit card and a settlement amountof a credit card.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram which schematically illustrates an example ofdisplaying a recommended credit card when a distance between the device1000 and the counterpart device 2000 falls within a predetermined range,according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, as the device1000 approaches the counterpart device 2000, the counterpart device 2000may provide the device 1000 with information about a settlementenvironment. The information about a settlement environment may include,for example, at least one of device information about the counterpartdevice 2000 and information about a settlement time, a settlementposition, a membership store, and goods.

Further, the device 1000 may determine a credit card which isrecommended for a user based on the information about a settlementenvironment and may display the recommended credit card image on thelock screen of the device 1000. Thus, when the distance between thedevice 1000 and the counterpart device 2000 falls within a preset range,the device 1000 may display the credit card image on the lock screen ofthe device 1000.

FIG. 8 is a diagram which schematically illustrates a method fordisplaying a recommended credit card when a distance between the device1000 and the counterpart device 2000 falls within a predetermined rangeand for providing settlement information, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

In operation S800, the device 1000 is within a short range from thecounterpart device 2000. The device 1000 and the counterpart device 2000may approach each other within a predetermined range. As the device 1000and the counterpart device 2000 approach each other, the device 1000 andthe counterpart device 2000 may be connected to each other by shortrange communication. The short range communication may include, forexample, any one or more of NFC, ZigBee communication, radio frequencyidentification (RFID) communication, and ultra-wide band (UWB)communication.

In operation S802, the device 1000 receives information which relates toa settlement environment from the counterpart device 2000. Theinformation which relates to a settlement environment may include, forexample, any one or more of a settlement time, a settlement position, amembership store, and information which relates to an identification ofgoods.

In operation S804, the device 1000 may display the recommended creditcard on the lock screen of the device 1000. The device 1000 mayrecommend a credit card to be used for performing a settlement based ona settlement environment and credit card benefit information, and maydisplay a list of the recommended credit cards on the lock screen of thedevice 1000. The device 1000 may arrange and display a plurality ofcredit card images based on a predetermined standard. Further, thedevice 1000 may display a predetermined credit card image with emphasis.

In operation S806, the device 1000 may select a credit card to be usedfor a settlement based on a received user input. When a user touches apredetermined credit card image displayed on the lock screen, the device1000 may select the credit card touched by the user as a credit card tobe used for a settlement.

In operation S808, the device 1000 provides settlement information aboutthe selected credit card to the counterpart device 2000. The device 1000may extract credit card information about a credit card image touched bythe user and user information from the memory 1700 of the device 1000,and may provide the extracted credit card information and userinformation to the counterpart device 2000. The credit card informationmay include, for example, any one or more of information about a creditcard number and a credit card expiration date, and authenticationinformation about a credit card. In addition, the user information mayinclude information about a user identification value and a user's dateof birth.

Further, if a touch input of a credit card image is maintained over apreset time interval, the device 1000 may provide the settlementinformation to the counterpart device 2000. When the device 1000approaches the counterpart device 2000 while a touch input of a creditcard image is maintained, the device 1000 may provide the settlementinformation to the counterpart device 2000, but the present exemplaryembodiment is not limited thereto.

In operation S810, the device 1000 provides settlement information abouta selected credit card to the settlement server 3000. When a touch inputof a credit card image is maintained over a preset time interval, thedevice 1000 may provide the settlement information to the counterpartdevice 2000, but the present exemplary embodiment is not limitedthereto.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of credit card images being displayed on alock screen of the device 1000, according to an exemplary embodiment.Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of unlock pattern points may bedisplayed on the lock screen of the device 1000, and a predeterminedcredit card image may be overlappingly displayed on each lock patternpoint. In this case, the credit card image to be displayed on the lockscreen may be an image of a credit card that is usable for performing asettlement via the counterpart device 2000. Further, the credit cardimages may be arranged according to a preset standard based on theinformation about a type of a credit card, a points reward rate of acredit card, and a discount rate of a credit card, but the presentexemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

Further, a user may unlock the device 1000 by using the credit cardimages and the unlock pattern points. For example, the device 1000 maybe unlocked by selecting the credit card images and the unlock patternpoints in a predetermined order based on a touch-and-drag input.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of credit card images being displayed ona lock screen of the device 1000, according to another exemplaryembodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, a plurality of unlock pattern pointsmay be displayed on the lock screen of the device 1000, andpredetermined credit card images may be displayed for some other unlockpattern points. In this case, a credit card image to be displayed on thelock screen may be an image of a credit card that is usable forperforming a settlement via the counterpart device 2000. In addition,the credit card image may be arranged according to a preset standardbased on the information about a type of a credit card, a points rewardrate of a credit card, and a discount rate of a credit card.

Further, a user may unlock the device 1000 by using the credit cardimages and the unlock pattern points. For example, the device 1000 maybe unlocked by selecting the credit card images and the unlock patternpoints in a predetermined order based on a touch-and-drag input.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of credit card images being displayed ona lock screen of the device 1000, according to another exemplaryembodiment. Referring to FIG. 11, credit card images may be displayed onthe lock screen of the device 1000 without displaying the unlock patternpoints. In this case, a credit card image to be displayed on the lockscreen may be an image of a credit card that is usable for performing asettlement via the counterpart device 2000. In addition, the credit cardimage may be arranged according to a preset standard based on theinformation about a type of a credit card, a points reward rate of acredit card, and a discount rate of a credit card.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of credit card images being distinctivelydisplayed with emphasis, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referringto FIG. 12, a credit card image of a credit card K having a high rewardrate and a credit card image of a credit card S having a high userpreference may be displayed with emphasis in order to distinguish theseimages with respect to the plurality of credit card images which aredisplayed on the lock screen of the device 1000. For example, the edgeof each credit card image of the credit cards K and S may be displayedto be relatively thick. However, the present exemplary embodiment is notlimited thereto, and the color, size, and/or any other suitable aspectof a credit card image may be changed and displayed distinctively.Further, the credit card image may be displayed in three dimensions.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of credit card images being distinctivelydisplayed with emphasis, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referringto FIG. 13, a pattern lock point which is displayed under the creditcard image of each of the credit card K having a high reward rate andthe credit card image of the credit card S having a high user preferencemay be displayed with emphasis in order to distinguish these images withrespect to the credit card images which are displayed on the lock screenof the device 1000. For example, the edge of a pattern lock point undereach credit card image of the credit cards K and S may be displayed tobe relatively thick. However, the present exemplary embodiment is notlimited thereto, and the color, size, and/or any other suitable aspectof a pattern lock point may be changed and displayed distinctively.Further, the pattern lock point may be displayed in three dimensions.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, a coupon image may bedisplayed together with a credit card image on the lock screen of thedevice 1000. The device 1000 may recommend a coupon that is usable inconjunction with a performance of a settlement which involvespredetermined goods, and the device 1000 may display an image of arecommended coupon on the lock screen of the device 1000. Further, whena user selects a coupon image and a credit card image displayed on thelock screen, the device 1000 may provide the counterpart device 2000 andthe settlement server 3000 with information about the coupon and thecredit card selected by the user.

FIG. 14 is a detailed block diagram of the device 1000, according to anexemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 14, the device 1000 according tothe present exemplary embodiment includes a display unit 1100 (alsoreferred to herein as a display 1100), a credit card image arrangementunit 1200 (also referred to herein as an image arranger 1200), a userinput receiving unit 1300 (also referred to herein as a receiver 1300),a fingerprint recognition unit 1400 (also referred to herein as afingerprint recognizer 1400), an unlocking unit 1500 (also referred toherein as an unlocker 1500), a settlement information providing unit1600 (also referred to herein as a settlement information provider1600), the memory 1700, a transceiving unit 1800 (also referred toherein as a transceiver 1800), and a control unit 1900 (also referred toherein as a controller 1900).

The display unit 1100 may display at least one credit card image on atleast one of unlock pattern points displayed on the lock screen of thedevice 1000. The credit card image which is displayed on the lock screenmay be used to unlock the device 1000. In addition, the display unit1100 may display at least one credit card image without displayingunlock pattern points on the lock screen of the device 1000.

Further, when a distance between the device 1000 and the counterpartdevice 2000 falls within a preset range, the display unit 1100 maydisplay a credit card image on the lock screen of the device 1000. Forexample, when the device 1000 is within a short range from thecounterpart device 2000 such that communication therebetween may occurvia NFC, the display unit 1100 may display a predetermined credit cardimage on the lock screen of the device 1000.

Further, the display unit 1100 may arrange and display a plurality ofcredit card images according to a predetermined standard. The displayunit 1100 may display a predetermined credit card image with emphasis.The display unit 1100 may display the credit card image, for example, bychanging the color of the credit card image which corresponds to acredit card that is usable for performing a settlement, or by increasingthe thickness of an edge of the credit card image. The display unit 1100may display the credit card image by changing the color of a patternlock point which is displayed under a credit card that is usable forperforming a settlement, or by increasing the thickness of an edge ofthe pattern lock point.

The credit card image arrangement unit 1200 arranges credit cards thatare usable for performing a settlement according to a predeterminedstandard. The credit card image arrangement unit 1200 may arrange creditcard images according to a predetermined standard by using informationabout the credit card image that is usable for performing a settlement.In this case, when a distance between the device 1000 and thecounterpart device 2000 falls within a present range, the device 1000may receive the information about the credit card that is usable forperforming a settlement from the counterpart device 2000. Theinformation about the credit card that is usable for performing asettlement may include, for example, information about any one or moreof a type of a credit card, a points reward rate of a credit card, and adiscount rate of a credit card, but the present exemplary embodiment isnot limited thereto. The credit card image arrangement unit 1200 mayrecommend a plurality of credit cards to be used for a settlement andmay distinctively display the recommended credit cards.

The credit card image arrangement unit 1200 may arrange credit cardimages on the lock screen of the device 1000 based on at least one ofpoints reward rate and a discount rate. For example, the device 1000 mayarrange a credit card having a higher points reward rate or a higherdiscount rate prior to a credit card having a lower points reward rateor a lower discount rate.

The credit card image arrangement unit 1200 may arrange credit cardswhich match the position of the device 1000 in a primary manner, ascompared to credit cards that do not match the position of the device1000, which may be arranged in a secondary manner, based on the positionof the device 1000. For example, the credit card image arrangement unit1200 may primarily arrange a credit card K when the device 1000 islocated at a membership store A. Further, for example, when the device1000 is located at a membership store B, the device 1000 may primarilyarrange a credit card H. In this case, position information may includeat least one of a GPS value and an identification value of an APconnected to the device 1000, but the present exemplary embodiment isnot limited thereto. In addition, the credit card image arrangement unit1200 may determine a store where the device 1000 is located, based on atleast one of the GPS value and the identification value of an APconnected to the device 1000. In this case, an identification value of astore that matches at least one of the GPS value and the identificationvalue of an AP connected to the device 1000 may have previously beenstored in the device 1000. The information about the credit card thatmay be used at a store which corresponds to the position of the device1000 may have previously been stored in the device 1000, but the presentexemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

The credit card image arrangement unit 1200 may arrange credit cardimages on the lock screen of the device 1000 based on at least one ofthe number of uses of a credit card by a user and user preference. Forexample, the credit card image arrangement unit 1200 may primarilyarrange a credit card having a relatively higher number of uses withrespect to a secondary arrangement of a credit card having a relativelylower number of uses. In addition, for example, the device 1000 mayprimarily arrange a credit card having a relatively higher userpreference with respect to a secondary arrangement of a credit cardhaving a relatively lower user preference. The user preference may becalculated by executing any one or more of various algorithms which maybe based on the number of uses of a credit card and a settlement amountof a credit card.

The user input receiving unit 1300 may receive a touch input from a userwhich respect to a credit card image. When a user touches apredetermined credit card image which is displayed on the lock screen ofthe device 1000, the user input receiving unit 1300 may receive a usertouch input.

The fingerprint recognition unit 1400 may recognize a user's fingerprintbased on a received touch input. The fingerprint recognition unit 1400may recognize a user's fingerprint from the lock screen of the device1000 by using the fingerprint recognition sensor included in the device1000. The fingerprint recognition sensor may be, for example, at leastone of an optical sensor, a heat detection sensor, a condensing sensor,and semiconductor type and electric field type sensors, but the presentexemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

The unlocking unit 1500 may unlock the device 1000 based on therecognized fingerprint. The unlocking unit 1500 may compare therecognized fingerprint with user-specific fingerprint information whichhas previously been stored in the device 1000, and may unlock the device1000 when the recognized fingerprint matches the user-specificfingerprint information as indicated with respect to a predeterminedvalue.

In this case, the user-specific fingerprint information may be stored inthe device 1000 to be matched with each credit card image. The unlockingunit 1500 may compare the fingerprint information which corresponds tothe touched credit card image (i.e., the received touch input) with therecognized fingerprint.

When the device 1000 is unlocked, the settlement information providingunit 1600 may provide settlement information which corresponds to thecredit card image touched by a user to the counterpart device 2000. Inparticular, when the device 1000 is unlocked, the settlement informationproviding unit 1600 may execute an application in order to transmitsettlement information. The settlement information providing unit 1600may provide the settlement information to the counterpart device 2000 byusing the executed application.

The settlement information providing unit 1600 may extract, from thememory 1700, user information and credit card information about a creditcard image touched by a user, and may provide the counterpart device2000 with the extracted credit card information and user information.The credit card information may include, for example, information abouta credit card number and a credit card expiration date, andauthentication information about a credit card. The user information mayinclude, for example, information about a user identification value andthe date of birth of a user.

The settlement information providing unit 1600 may provide thesettlement information to the counterpart device 2000 when the touchinput on a credit card image continues or is maintained over apredetermined time interval. In so doing, if a distance between thedevice 1000 and the counterpart device 2000 falls within a predeterminedrange, the settlement information providing unit 1600 may provide thesettlement information to the counterpart device 2000, but the presentexemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

The settlement information providing unit 1600 may provide thesettlement information to the counterpart device 2000 when fingerprintinformation obtained based on the touch input on a credit card image isdetermined to be valid with respect to the stored information whichrelates to the user of the credit card.

The settlement information providing unit 1600 may provide thefingerprint information about the recognized fingerprint to thecounterpart device 2000. In this case, the counterpart device 2000provides the received fingerprint information to the settlement server3000, and thus, a settlement may be performed.

The memory 1700 may store various pieces of information which are usefuland/or required in order for the device 1000 to display a credit cardimage on the lock screen and to provide information to the counterpartdevice 2000 for performing a credit card settlement.

The transceiving unit 1800 may transceive information which is usablefor performing a credit card settlement via the counterpart device 2000and a settlement server 3000. In particular, the transceiving unit 1800transceives with the counterpart device 2000 and the settlement server3000 various pieces of information which are useful and/or required inorder for the device 1000 to display a credit card image on the lockscreen of the device 1000.

The control unit 1900 may control an overall operation of the device1000 so that the device 1000 displays a credit card image on the lockscreen and provides the information about a credit card settlement tothe counterpart device 2000. The control unit 1900 may control thedisplay unit 1100, the credit card image arrangement unit 1200, the userinput receiving unit 1300, the fingerprint recognition unit 1400, theunlocking unit 1500, the settlement information providing unit 1600, thememory 1700, and the transceiving unit 1800.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the device 1000, according to anotherexemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 15, a mobile communication unit1001 performs call setting and data communication with a local stationvia a cellular network, such as 3G/4G. A sub-communication unit 1002performs a function for short range communication, such as Bluetooth orNFC. A broadcast receiving unit 1003 may receive a digital multimediabroadcasting (DMB) signal.

A camera unit 1004 includes a lens and optical elements for capturing apicture or a moving picture.

A sensor unit 1005 may include at least one of a gravity sensor fordetecting a motion of the device 1000, an illuminance sensor fordetecting the brightness of light, a proximity sensor for detecting adegree of proximity of a person, and a motion sensor for detection amotion of a person.

A GPS receiving unit 1006 receives a GPS signal from an artificialsatellite. Thus, various services may be provided to a user by using theGPS signal.

An input/output unit 1010 provides an interface for use in conjunctionwith an external device or a person and may include a button 1011, amicrophone 1012, a speaker 1013, a vibration motor 1014, a connector1015, and a keypad 1016.

A touch screen 1018 receives a touch input from a user. The touch inputmay be executed, for example, by performing at least one of a draggesture and/or a tap gesture. A touch screen controller 1017 transfers atouch input that is received via the touch screen 1018, to a controlunit or processor 1050. A power supply unit 1019 is connected to abattery or an external power source to supply power to the device 1000.

The control unit 1050 executes programs which are stored in a memory1060 and thus provides the counterpart device 2000 with settlementinformation by using a credit card image which is displayed on the lockscreen according to one or more exemplary embodiments.

The programs stored in the memory 1060 may be classified into aplurality of models: a mobile communication module 1061, a WiFi module1062, a Bluetooth module 1063, a DMB module 1062, a camera module 1065,a sensor module 1066, a GPS module 1067, a moving picture reproductionmodule 1068, an audio reproduction module 1069, a power module 1070, atouch screen module 1071, a user interface (UI) module 1072, and anapplication module 1073. In addition, the at least one program which isstored in the memory 1060 may include a module which is usable forperforming NFC communication and may include an NFC module (not shown)instead of or in addition to a Bluetooth module 1063. Further, afunction of each module may be intuitively understood from its name byone of ordinary skill in the art.

An operation of providing settlement information by using a credit cardimage on a lock screen according to an exemplary embodiment is describedbelow.

At least one of the mobile communication module 1061, the WiFi module1062, the Bluetooth module 1063, and the NFC module may receiveinformation about a credit card that is usable for performing asettlement from the counterpart device 2000. For example, as the device1000 approaches the counterpart device 2000, the device 1000 may receivecredit card information via the NFC module.

The application module 1073 may determine a credit card image to bedisplayed on the lock screen by using the credit card information, andmay determine how the determined credit card image is arranged anddisplayed. The UI module 1072 may display a credit card image on thelock screen based on the determination of the application module 1073.

The touch screen module 1071 may receive a touch input with respect to acredit card image from a user, and may recognize a fingerprint of a userbased on the received touch input.

The application module 1073 may unlock the device 1000 when therecognized fingerprint information is similar to fingerprint informationwhich is stored in the memory 1060. The application module 1073 mayprovide the credit card information about the credit card which isselected based on the received touch input and the recognizedfingerprint information to the counterpart device 2000. In this case,the application module 1073 may provide the credit card information andthe fingerprint information to the counterpart device via at least oneof the mobile communication module 1061, the WiFi module 1062, theBluetooth module 1063, and the NFC module.

As described above, such connection information is transferred to a pushserver via a cellular network and is finally pushed to a second mobileterminal that is selected by a user from a contact list. When a mobileterminal that acquires the connection information makes a request forconnection via a wireless local area network (LAN), the applicationmodule 1073 in interaction with the WiFi module 1062 forms a wirelessLAN link with a counterpart mobile terminal.

Next, a mode by which the device 1000 operates as a second mobileterminal is described below. When a push message which includes theconnection information is received via the mobile communication unit1001, the application module 1073 displays, on the lock screen, aselection menu requesting whether to set a wireless LAN link with thefirst mobile terminal. If a user touches a button for approvingconnection via the touch screen 1018, the application module 1073, ininteraction with the WiFi module 1062, forms a wireless LAN link withthe first mobile terminal.

An exemplary embodiment may be embodied in form of a recording mediumwhich includes computer executable command languages such as a programmodule which may be executed by a computer. A transitory ornon-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a useable mediumthat may be accessed by a computer and may include all of volatile andnon-volatile media or a separable and inseparable media. Further, thecomputer-readable storage medium may include all of a computer storagemedium and a communication medium. The computer-readable storage mediummay include all of volatile and non-volatile media or a separable andinseparable media embodied by a certain method or technology for storinginformation such as computer-readable command languages, datastructures, program modules, and/or other data. The communication mediummay typically include computer-readable command languages, datastructures, program modules, or other data of a modulated data signal,and/or any other suitable transmission mechanism, and may also include acertain information forwarding medium.

While the present inventive concept has been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made with respect to the exemplary embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present inventive concept asdefined by the appended claims.

1. A method of providing credit card information toward a settlementserver through a point-of-sale (POS) device for a performance of atransaction by the settlement server, the method being performed by anelectronic device and comprising: displaying, on a display of theelectronic device, a lock screen including an unlocking option forreceiving a first input for unlocking the electronic device, wherein atleast one application executable by the electronic device isinaccessible by a user of the electronic device while the lock screenincluding the unlocking option is displayed on the display; receiving,by the electronic device, a second input for a payment application whilethe lock screen including the unlocking option is displayed; in responseto the second input being received, displaying, within a screen of thepayment application by the electronic device, a plurality of credit cardimages including a first credit card image and a second credit cardimage without displaying the unlock option, wherein the first creditcard image is associated with a first credit card, the second creditcard image is associated with a second credit card, and first creditcard information regarding the first credit card and second credit cardinformation regarding the second credit card are stored in theelectronic device; and based on the first credit card image beingselected from among the displayed plurality of credit card imagesincluding the first credit card image and the second credit card image:receiving, by the electronic device, via a fingerprint sensor of theelectronic device, a fingerprint input directly from a finger of theuser on the fingerprint sensor; in response to the fingerprint inputbeing received, determining, by the electronic device, whether thereceived fingerprint input corresponds to a fingerprint information thatis stored in the electronic device; and in response to the receivedfingerprint input being determined to correspond to the fingerprintinformation stored in the electronic device, outputting, by theelectronic device, via a communication circuitry of the electronicdevice, the first credit card information regarding the first creditcard such that the POS device receives the outputted first credit cardinformation regarding the first credit card and transmits the receivedfirst credit card information toward the settlement server to cause theperformance of the transaction by the settlement server.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising determining, by the electronic device,whether the received fingerprint input is maintained over a timeinterval, wherein the outputting the first credit card informationcomprises, in response to the received fingerprint input beingdetermined to correspond to the fingerprint information stored in theelectronic device and being determined to be maintained over the timeinterval, outputting, by the electronic device, via the communicationcircuitry of the electronic device, the first credit card informationregarding the first credit card such that the POS device receives theoutputted first credit card information regarding the first credit cardand transmits the received first credit card information toward thesettlement server to cause the performance of the transaction by thesettlement server.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining, by the electronic device, whether the electronic device iswithin a communicative range of wireless communication of the POSdevice, wherein the outputting the first credit card informationcomprises, in response to the received fingerprint input beingdetermined to correspond to the fingerprint information stored in theelectronic device and the electronic device being determined to bewithin the communicative range of the wireless communication of the POSdevice, outputting, by the electronic device, via the communicationcircuitry of the electronic device, the first credit card informationregarding the first credit card such that the POS device receives theoutputted first credit card information regarding the first credit cardand transmits the received first credit card information toward thesettlement server to cause the performance of the transaction by thesettlement server.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, basedon the second credit card image being selected from among the displayedplurality of credit card images including the first credit card imageand the second credit card image: receiving, by the electronic device,via the fingerprint sensor of the electronic device, the fingerprintinput directly from the finger of the user on the fingerprint sensor; inresponse to the fingerprint input being received, determining, by theelectronic device, whether the received fingerprint input corresponds tothe fingerprint information stored in the electronic device; and inresponse to the received fingerprint input being determined tocorrespond to the fingerprint information stored in the electronicdevice, outputting, by the electronic device, via the communicationcircuitry of the electronic device, the second credit card informationregarding the second credit card such that the POS device receives theoutputted second credit card information regarding the second creditcard and transmits the received second credit card information towardthe settlement server to cause the performance of the transaction by thesettlement server.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determiningwhether the received fingerprint input corresponds to the fingerprintinformation comprises recognizing, by the electronic device, afingerprint of the user, based on the received fingerprint input.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the determining whether the receivedfingerprint input corresponds to the fingerprint information furthercomprises determining, by the electronic device, that the receivedfingerprint input corresponds to the fingerprint information, based onthe recognized fingerprint matching the fingerprint information isstored in the electronic device.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst credit card information regarding the first credit card isprovided via near field communication (NFC).
 8. The method of the claim1, wherein the second input comprises an input received from the POSdevice.
 9. The method of the claim 1, wherein the first credit cardimage and the second credit card image are arranged based on a userpreference.
 10. An electronic device for providing credit cardinformation toward a settlement server through a point-of-sale (POS)device for a performance of a transaction by the settlement server, theelectronic device comprising: a memory storing instructions; and aprocessor configured to execute the stored instructions to at least:control to display on a display of the electronic device, a lock screenincluding an unlocking option for receiving a first input for unlockingthe electronic device, wherein at least one application executable bythe electronic device is inaccessible by a user of the electronic devicewhile the lock screen including the unlocking option is displayed on thedisplay; receive a second input for a payment application while the lockscreen including the unlocking option is displayed; in response to thesecond input being received, control to display within a screen of thepayment application, a plurality of credit card images including a firstcredit card image and a second credit card image without displaying theunlock option, wherein the first credit card image is associated with afirst credit card, the second credit card image is associated with asecond credit card, and first credit card information regarding thefirst credit card and second credit card information regarding thesecond credit card are stored in the electronic device; and based on thefirst credit card image being selected from among the displayedplurality of credit card images including the first credit card imageand the second credit card image: receive, via a fingerprint sensor ofthe electronic device, a fingerprint input directly from a finger of theuser on the fingerprint sensor; in response to the fingerprint inputbeing received, determine whether the received fingerprint inputcorresponds to a fingerprint information that is stored in theelectronic device; and in response to the received fingerprint inputbeing determined to correspond to the fingerprint information stored inthe electronic device, output, via a communication circuitry of theelectronic device, the first credit card information regarding the firstcredit card such that the POS device receives the outputted first creditcard information regarding the first credit card and transmits thereceived first credit card information toward the settlement server tocause the performance of the transaction by the settlement server. 11.The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the stored instructions to: determine whether thereceived fingerprint input is maintained over a time interval; and inresponse to the received fingerprint input being determined tocorrespond to the fingerprint information stored in the electronicdevice and being determined to be maintained over the time interval,output, via the communication circuitry of the electronic device, thefirst credit card information regarding the first credit card such thatthe POS device receives the outputted first credit card informationregarding the first credit card and transmits the received first creditcard information toward the settlement server to cause the performanceof the transaction by the settlement server.
 12. The electronic deviceof claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to execute thestored instructions to: determine whether the electronic device iswithin a communicative range of wireless communication of the POSdevice; and in response to the received fingerprint input beingdetermined to correspond to the fingerprint information stored in theelectronic device and the electronic device being determined to bewithin the communicative range of the wireless communication of the POSdevice, output, via the communication circuitry of the electronicdevice, the first credit card information regarding the first creditcard such that the POS device receives the outputted first credit cardinformation regarding the first credit card and transmits the receivedfirst credit card information toward the settlement server to cause theperformance of the transaction by the settlement server.
 13. Theelectronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the stored instructions to, based on the secondcredit card image being selected from among the displayed plurality ofcredit card images including the first credit card image and the secondcredit card image: receive, via the fingerprint sensor of the electronicdevice, the fingerprint input directly from the finger of the user onthe fingerprint sensor; in response to the fingerprint input beingreceived, determine whether the received fingerprint input correspondsto the fingerprint information stored in the electronic device; and inresponse to the received fingerprint input being determined tocorrespond to the fingerprint information stored in the electronicdevice, output, via the communication circuitry of the electronicdevice, the second credit card information regarding the second creditcard such that the POS device receives the outputted second credit cardinformation regarding the second credit card and transmits the receivedsecond credit card information toward the settlement server to cause theperformance of the transaction by the settlement server.
 14. Theelectronic device of claim 10, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the stored instructions to recognize a fingerprintof the user, based on the received fingerprint input.
 15. The electronicdevice of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured toexecute the stored instructions to determine that the receivedfingerprint input corresponds to the fingerprint information, based onthe recognized fingerprint matching the fingerprint information isstored in the electronic device.
 16. The electronic device of claim 10,wherein the first credit card information regarding the first creditcard is provided via near field communication (NFC).
 17. The electronicdevice of the claim 10, wherein the second input comprises an inputreceived from the POS device.
 18. The electronic device of the claim 10,wherein the first credit card image and the second credit card image arearranged based on a user preference.
 19. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processorof an electronic device for providing credit card information toward asettlement server through a point-of-sale (POS) device for a performanceof a transaction by the settlement server, to cause the processor to atleast: control to display on a display of the electronic device, a lockscreen including an unlocking option for receiving a first input forunlocking the electronic device, wherein at least one applicationexecutable by the electronic device is inaccessible by a user of theelectronic device while the lock screen including the unlocking optionis displayed on the display; receive a second input for a paymentapplication while the lock screen including the unlocking option isdisplayed; in response to the second input being received, control todisplay within a screen of the payment application by the electronicdevice, a plurality of credit card images including a first credit cardimage and a second credit card image without displaying the unlockoption, wherein the first credit card image is associated with a firstcredit card, the second credit card image is associated with a secondcredit card, and first credit card information regarding the firstcredit card and second credit card information regarding the secondcredit card are stored in the electronic device; and based on the firstcredit card image being selected from among the displayed plurality ofcredit card images including the first credit card image and the secondcredit card image: receive, via a fingerprint sensor of the electronicdevice, a fingerprint input directly from a finger of the user on thefingerprint sensor; in response to the fingerprint input being received,determine whether the received fingerprint input corresponds to afingerprint information that is stored in the electronic device; and inresponse to the received fingerprint input being determined tocorrespond to the fingerprint information stored in the electronicdevice, output, via a communication circuitry of the electronic device,the first credit card information regarding the first credit card suchthat the POS device receives the outputted first credit card informationregarding the first credit card and transmits the received first creditcard information toward the settlement server to cause the performanceof the transaction by the settlement server.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions furthercause the processor to recognize a fingerprint of the user, based on thereceived fingerprint input.